The Counters are capable of interfacing with any living or non-living electrical impulse-based systems, from the human brain to any electronic device. Alary a rodent-like race whose specialty is military. They are capable of moving either upright or on all fours. Even though their forward appendages are prehensile, all their weapons are carried on their heads and are operated with the tongue. Alary are gender-neutral until reaching the age of maturity, at which point it selects a gender and changes its fur from black to grey. Kualkua is a symbiotic, shapeshifting race. It is capable of merging with any organic being and transform it as desired. Known for complete disregard for death. All Kualkua are actually a part of a single being, spread out over multiple "bodies." After the Kualkua defied the will of the Conclave, their home planet was destroyed. Since then, the Kualkua will not talk to members of the Strong races but will do their bidding. Dusties are a worm-like race whose function used to be mining resources for the Strong races. They developed a set of ideas known as "absolute knowledge" in order to become a Strong race. However, the Conclave merely assigned the Dusties a new function - terraforming. Flickerings are responsible for maintaining the communication channels throughout the conclave. Unpronounceables are in the process of developing a universal set of morals and philosophies for all known races in order to equalize the status. Geometers This world is almost dreamlike. Possessing control over energy, friendship with other sensible races, order and love to all alive... Lukyanenko polemizes with Strugatsky's World of the Noon. The society of Geometers is crucially based on Upbringing. No families. People are brought up in groups of four by Mentors, who help them to socialize and suppress "wrong" sides of their characters (without any violence, just refusing love). Mentors also help them to recognize the occupation, which is required by the Motherland and which they would like — but Mentors are sure in their right to choose. Mentors don't hesitate to ruin "wrong" dreams of their pupils and have no respect for their personal life. The result is far from World of the Noon, but a society of utter expediency, of people who are brought up averagely — i.e. they fulfil all rules of the society, but are almost unable to violate any (such behaviour is even considered as illness). The